At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Speciality Bread category, shaping strategy and driving growth.
- Company: Dynamic FMCG company focused on collaboration and innovation.
- Benefits: Ownership of projects, cross-functional teamwork, and international travel opportunities.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and visibility within the business.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while working with passionate teams.
- Qualifications: Experience in FMCG, strong analytical skills, and a passion for food.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 € per year.
Location: Bedford / Milton Keynes
Function: Marketing
Reports to: Head of Category & Insight
About the role
We’re looking for a commercially minded and insight-driven Category Manager to lead our Speciality Bread category. This is a high-impact, cross-functional role where you’ll shape strategy, influence stakeholders, and drive growth across our retail channel and beyond. Acting as the voice of your category, you’ll turn data into actionable insights, align teams across Sales, Operations, and Marketing, and build compelling strategies that deliver both consumer value and commercial success.
What you’ll be doing
- Category Strategy & Leadership
- Own and deliver the end-to-end category strategy for Speciality Bread
- Translate global direction into a strong UK growth plan
- Create clear, actionable roadmaps with defined priorities and outcomes
- Act as the go-to expert for your category internally and externally
- Collaboration & Influence
- Partner closely with Sales, Operations, and Marketing teams to align plans
- Build trusted, objective relationships with customers alongside Sales
- Coordinate projects and tenders across functions
- Represent your category within the wider business and global network
- Insight & Innovation
- Use market, shopper, and consumer data to inform category decisions
- Shape innovation pipelines and ensure NPD is insight-led
- Build compelling, customer-focused sell‑in stories
- Translate trends into clear, actionable recommendations
- Performance & Portfolio Management
- Manage the product portfolio to drive volume, margin, and profitability
- Identify opportunities to simplify ranges and improve performance
- Monitor category performance and adjust strategy accordingly
- Support operational efficiency and capability development
- Market Intelligence
- Analyse competitors and market dynamics
- Provide insights to support decision-making and category growth
What we’re looking for
- Experience
- Proven experience within FMCG, ideally in a commercial or category role
- Demonstrated success driving commercial performance and P&L growth
- Experience working cross‑functionally and managing multiple stakeholders
- Background in retail; food, bakery, or foodservice experience is a plus
- Skills & capabilities
- Strong analytical and financial skills with the ability to translate data into action
- Excellent communication and influencing skills
- Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands‑on delivery
- Confident managing complexity and competing priorities
- Highly collaborative with a relationship‑driven approach
- What will set you apart
- Passion for food – especially bakery!
- Curiosity for market trends and consumer behaviour
- A proactive mindset with a drive to deliver results
What to expect
- Working between Bedford and Milton Keynes
- Opportunity to work cross‑functionally and internationally (including travel within Europe when required)
- A role with real ownership, visibility, and impact on business performance
Why join us?
You’ll be part of a collaborative and ambitious business where category thinking is central to growth. You’ll have the opportunity to influence strategy, work with talented teams, and take ownership of a key category in a fast‑moving FMCG environment.
Category Manager – Speciality Bread in Bedford employer: Lantmännen Group
Join a dynamic and ambitious team in Bedford/Milton Keynes, where your role as Category Manager for Speciality Bread will empower you to shape strategy and drive growth in a fast-paced FMCG environment. With a strong focus on collaboration and innovation, you'll enjoy opportunities for professional development, influence key business decisions, and work alongside talented colleagues who share your passion for food. Experience a supportive work culture that values insight-driven decision-making and offers real ownership of your category.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager – Speciality Bread in Bedford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Category Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products, especially in the Speciality Bread category. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in their business and ready to contribute.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with their needs, particularly in driving commercial performance and managing cross-functional teams. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager – Speciality Bread in Bedford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Category Manager for Speciality Bread. Highlight your experience in FMCG and any relevant achievements that showcase your ability to drive commercial performance and manage multiple stakeholders.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about food, especially bakery, and how your curiosity for market trends can benefit our team. Make it personal and engaging!
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since this role requires strong analytical skills, be sure to include examples of how you've used data to inform decisions in past roles. We want to see how you turn insights into action!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get to know you better!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lantmännen Group
✨Know Your Category Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the Speciality Bread category. Understand current trends, key players, and consumer preferences. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your passion for food and your ability to turn insights into actionable strategies.
✨Showcase Your Cross-Functional Experience
Be ready to discuss your experience working with Sales, Operations, and Marketing teams. Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully collaborated across functions to drive growth and align strategies. This will highlight your ability to influence stakeholders effectively.
✨Bring Data to Life
Since the role requires strong analytical skills, come prepared with examples of how you've used data to inform decisions in previous roles. Be ready to explain how you translated market insights into successful category strategies that delivered commercial results.
✨Demonstrate Your Proactive Mindset
Employers love candidates who take initiative. Share instances where you've identified opportunities for improvement or innovation within a category. This will show your curiosity for market trends and your drive to deliver results, which are key traits for this role.
